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Hypnosis Member
since 2001-12-02
Posts 325CO |
For some time, I have realized that some poets here at passions like to thank the people who reply to their poems. And I think that is fantastic and all, except when more than half of the replies shown is the poet's! I've counted this many times and it happens over and over again. This just seems like just a cheap way to get more and more posts. Once, I counted a poet who had 36 total replies, and 19 of them was from the poet themself just saying thanks! Would it be possible to make then say thanks to each reply in one entire post? It just does'nt seem right to me. Could this be considered to be a new rule? Thanks! Randy Meador a life lived unexplored is a life not worth living. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
I would like to see it considered a "rule" Randy, but sometimes, setting a good example is the best way to show our new poets around the house. For example, I rarely go in to my own posts much any more to "thank everyone" and when I do, if I have time, I do the "list" to each and every one; sometimes its a "group" thanks... but the best way I can think of thanking a poet for reading my work...is to read THEIR work, and comment upon it... And some folks haven't yet got the hang of Ron's "Topic Review" set out below, so they can open a second window to review the comments and respond accordingly...so they may believe they "have" to close out the window to read the next one and respond. [I use to think folks had super-human memories before I upgraded my computer(s) and could see the finer qualities of this site.] Thanks for posting this timely question! |
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amigo Senior Member
since 2001-10-12
Posts 520the earth school |
Yeah....i too agree for what you say, Randy...it kinda doesn't feel good... and, Karilea...thanks for info about the Topic Review...this is a good tip..i hadn't noticed it till today...well, it now takes off one item off the list, as to why people do what they do  |
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RosePetal 
since 2001-08-26
Posts 2985South Florida |
Yes Randy, I agree with you. I thank people in one reply, that's all that is necessary. I see a lot of people make 10-15 thank you replies to their post, that's a bit much. Fortunately though, replying to your own post will not boost it up to the top of the page! |
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Irish Rose Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263 |
I kind of wondered about this too, only didn' want to ruffle any feathers. Sometimes you just don't know what you are supposed to do. Kathleen--(Kay) |
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Chanson Senior Member
since 2000-08-19
Posts 1559Up Creek w/Out Paddle |
I've often had to chuckle to myself when people make a big deal out of the number of posts one has reached, ie "Poet A has reached 10,000 Posts!!". I don't see where posting 20 thank yous (which is included among all the other re's you make to others) when one or two would suffice warrants an overall, congratulatory remark. I have never understood the seriousness of the numbers game and I think it's rather silly, something out of grade school. It's just my opinion and I'm sure not a welcome one. *s My suggestion: Allow the poets a choice whether to have their posts counted or not, maybe as a yes/no option managed in our profile screens? [This message has been edited by chansondegeste (01-18-2002 11:08 AM).] |
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doreen peri Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812Virginia |
sometimes i'm the only one there talking to myself ..*wink* |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
I don't think we can legislate common sense or common courtesy. People reply differently because people are different. I'm not sure it's their way of boosting the number of posts as there is no 'reward' for higher numbers. High numbers (oops! like mine) sometimes means the member has been around since the beginning of time (like me) or it may mean that the person posts a lot of poetry (NOT that many if you check the stats) or because they have found PiP to be a great place for interaction. But as long as we keep talking about things that bother us, we'll be ok. (Personally I wonder if anyone would notice if we all got moved back to 0 posts?) |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
I like to read and reply, and often reply to the readers. It has nothing to do with numbers, I don't pay any attention to that. But it might be nice if the poet's own replies were not "in the count" but that may be a nightmare job for poor Athena, to sort these out. It's words, not numbers that matter to me. LOL, I'm not into accounting or math. I am into sharing and caring, and expanding my horizons. |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Well now, it used to be worse Randy. Before, a "thank you" would bump your post to the top of the page...and personally I cannot figure out how to please everyone! I have been accused of being discourteous for not coming back to acknowledge replies, and sometimes with a couple of my long-time buddies? We just get off on a humorous bend, and exchange wise-cracks! Ain't that right, Doreen? (An exchange which I think lends to the familiarity and inclusive dynamic of this site) But I think the deal is to just relax...it's not a reply competition, because, trust me, there are many "silent readers" out there who do not reply at all. I have also found that I make many friends by saying thanks via "e mail"--so my philosophy is to let Ron handle the math--there's only three kinds of people in this world, those who can count and those who can't! |
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Titia Geertman Member Ascendant
since 2001-05-07
Posts 5182Netherlands |
I'll throw my two dimes in with Serenity, sometimes it's just fun to interact. When you're roaming around for a while on the blue pages, postcounting gets more and more unimportant. It's what people say that counts. And if somebody is kind enough to take the time to reply to my writing, I think it would be kind of me to thank them for it. Mostly I'll wait till a few has replied and then thank them one by one in the same answer or thank them all at once. I see no harm in all that. There are so many people here, there's no way I can reply to all of them, so I say thank you to the few who replied to my poems. Titia A rose is a rose is a rose...I guess... |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
LOL at Serenity's math count. Ah, but right now I am almost embarrassed at the numbers on my "How To Make Love" challenge. Hope no one is intimidated by numbers. If so, perhaps it's time to move this one to a "slower" forum? Maybe one just for Valentine's Day love poetry, or possibly even...ahem....the Poetry Challenge forum, where perhaps it should have been in the first place? |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Hey Midnitesun, you've not been around on V-day in February, have you...? Somewhere, Ron has some awesome stats on what happens when the romantics FLOOD this place... |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
I believe we can safely assume that the MAJORITY of the poets who post here do NOT intentionally respond repeatedly to 'up' their number count. While the interaction here is the second-most enjoyable feature of this Circle Of Friends - (Poetry enjoyment being #1 !)... I believe that it doesn't really matter that someone responds individually to each and every response they've received. Ever stop to think that some people simply do not know how to configure their Internet Options to include CHECK FOR NEWER VERSION OF STORED PAGES on EACH VISIT to the page ? That certainly could account for the majority of 'what looks like' an abundancy of replies by the originator of the poem. AND some just don't realize that they can or should group their 'thanks'. Sometimes ... we parry back and forth with friends on the spur of the moment ... that's kind of like inviting them to sit on your couch and chat ! I think it's one of the POSITIVE'S of this site.  Funny ... I've NEVER even thought of an 'ulterior motive' in the number of responses or posts by anyone here ! And now that I have ... I'm happy to report that I don't find any~  Thanks for expressing your opinions ... It makes for an interesting look into the workings of other minds~ Love, hugs n' all that jazz~ ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Thanks, Sunshine, for your V Day comment. OMG, does this mean we will all get overwhelming replies to anything we post with a Love theme? Do we need a separate forum just for V Day? LOL, I may have to sit back and read and reply that day, and not do any homeschooling work. Best to leave the "other" category of my poetry idea folder for another day.  What IS the forums record for number of reply pages? Just curious. |
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Marsha
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423Maidstone Kent England |
Randy rarely if ever will you find a response from me in any other forum than open, occasionally in others but it truly is a rare occasion. But this really bugged me. And I mean really irritated me, so here goes and if I offend anyone then I apologise now because it's bound to offend someone and possibly a whole strata of writers. Once upon a time when there was no limit to the amount of images you could put on your post I did group replies. I used to wait until I had a few then reply individually calling them by name and saying thank you. I would add a witty comment maybe but it was common courtesy. Poets who had taken the time to read and reply to me I considered it is only justice to say thank you for their time. The smilies which I love and adore bedecked my posts with gay abandon, they express my personality and I littered them freely through my posts. I didn't mind that the self-bump feature had vanished, well I did, but there was nothing I as a single voice could do about it. So I contented myself with expressing my joy and constant amazement that there are poets and I mean real poets, who would read my scribbles, with saying thank you and sprinkling like fairy dust and good cheer my thank you list with smilies. Then one sad day I found that I could no longer paint my joy and delight with images that expressed the same. I was limited to five. Five images I was horrified, how could I tell poets how much I appreciated them, how could I express my individuality, there was no other way than to do individual replies. Does this make me a cheap poet? Someone who's counting my posts? Trying to boost my numbers? No what I believe it makes me and sadly I see it less and less since the demise of the self-bump is someone who cares enough to say thank you. I know that some may not agree with me but I think a thank you is important. As for those who no longer take the time to say thank you to their readers that is entirely up to them. Those of my friends who really know me, know I appreciate them I believe in letting them know they are appreciated and a little note on my post adds to that. Don't you think? As for making it a Rule don't you think that is just a little childish, we are adults here. Surely as adults we don't need to be ordered to obey like school children. We know the rules, the common courtesies, those of us, the majority I think, generally reply to six poets before posting one of our own. It's only rarely that some over eager newbie floods the forum with a multiplicity of posts. Sometimes poets who've been here a long while also get over eager and post several but that is very rare. So please don't request a ruling, and please don't censure me for replying individually that is my way of saying thank you most adored poets. Besides do you think you should censure and admonish is that how you see your role? Surely not That is my £5:00 worth, being English you know I wouldn't say this was two cents worth would you?  Love and warm stuff As always Mushy   To give light to them that sit in darkness..... to guide our feet into the way of peace St John ch2 v1 |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
I think that we will see the habit of replying to individual poets on separate entries become more infrequent from now on. We did have an enterprising poet or two discover the fact that, if one makes 3 consecutive replies, it would ovverride the computer check and allow the poem to be bumped up, thereby sneaking by the "no-bumping" rule. Now that the program has been corrected and that is no longer possible, self-bumpers will have to come up with a different way....and they will. There is no limit to human ingenuity  |
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Phaedrus Member
since 2002-01-26
Posts 180 |
This discussion seems is a bit of a none starter for me, I don’t see any correlation between the number of posts of a member and anything other than to point out that that member has hit the submit button x number of times. Having a high number of posts seems to me to be pretty irrelevant, it doesn’t mean that one member who has 20 posts is somehow inferior to one who has 2000, it doesn’t make them better poets; better people or better members. Does it matter whether you reply separately or in one group post? Given what I wrote above the answer would have to be no, taking into account the possibility that extra posts may make the server work a little harder the answer edges towards yes, but only marginally. Marsha, I can’t understand why you feel you have to add five graphics to every reply, it seems strange that in a forum dedicated to the written word you feel it a necessary to “say it with pictures.” Like I said I don’t mind either way, I’m just curious. [This message has been edited by Phaedrus (02-03-2002 03:42 PM).] |
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strbbux Member Elite
since 2001-12-19
Posts 3859 |
Well since I accidentally found my way here and read all these posts, I am going to put my two cents worth in here. Never in my life did I even think about numbers or that my replies would bump me up, I dont care to be bumped up. Numbers mean nothing to me, absolutely nothing, I have some poems that got 2 or 3 replies. So what? they cant all be what the reader wants, But I was politely asked to answer all in a post, so I do comply with no hard feelings. When I went back to look. I was appalled to see how many replies in a row I did singly..I wont do it anymore..but now I feel bad If I dont answer, You see, this has become my family. I love it here, and cannot think to not thank anyone for their kind, compassionate or funny reply..then when I go to put 10 replies in one, I get a message that I can only reply with five...Oh well, I am learning. thats ok...Now my next question is. How about the ones, who answer right away after a reply..they thank the replies 15 times, singley, one at a time under each post.. Now that is the same as what I did. Yet it continues. I think something has to be posted for all to see, and everyone should respect the rules, not just some. I feel as I am neglecting my friends.. and what about all the html pictures that are allowed, don't those clog up the board..Oh well, Like I said, I accidentally ventured in her on a quiet night..And after reading decided to say my piece. I am happy here, I will comply with all the rules,, I would never reply to a reply just to "bump" myself up, I am not that insecure with my poetry...Hey thanks for listening, take care floriaFloria |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
I steadfastly refuse to believe that there exists a breed of self-bumper among the accomplished poets and friends here ! Me thinks some try to give us credit for more than we have time to figure out ! I do not now ... and never will I defend my right to respond with a sincere or fun-jousting reply. The day that Ron Carnell thinks anyone replies or posts 'too much' is the day I'll take this subject seriously ! Until then ... BUMPSIE DAISY FOR THIS ONE~  MarshaLove   ~ & Floria~ (sorry ... that's my limit)You gals just keep writing and replying~ You are valued members of these forums and I LOVE to read you~ *Hugs* ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
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RosePetal
since 2001-08-26
Posts 2985South Florida |
my two cents... I feel that there is no need to reply individually to each person..it is much easier to reply to everyone in one post, list their names one under the other. Most people don't usually come back to see if you've thanked them. Just my opinion everyone, but we all differ on how we do things, so thats fine |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Most people may not come back to see if they're thanked... but some do. I know... I certainly don't revisit every poem I respond to, but I do revisit a lot of them. And I don't consider it a "cheap post" when I read a note of thanks from the poet to those who took the time to read and comment... I consider it courtesy. As far as I know... and I've been around almost forever... there aren't any rewards for higher numbers. Okay, there are title changes... *S* But Athena and I are the only ones who've ever noticed my numbers... and that's fine by me. *S* I'd much rather have WHAT I post mean something to someone than concern myself with how many times I've posted. To me, post numbers are irrelevant except for how you've used those numbers. For I think that thank you postings share something with all postings... a need for balance, a need for giving as much to others as you hope they'll give to you, a need for respect. If someone is hovering over their poem like a mother hen with just one chick and posting a thanks for every response and not taking one moment to read and respond to others, it's gonna aggravate me... there is no balance. I feel a similar aggravation towards those that post poem after poem and yet just don't have the time to read and respond to what others write. Respect may be a simple concept... but it's what makes this place different from other poetry sites I've visited... it's why these blue pages are home. There aren't any forum guidelines titled "suthern says" ... and that's probably fortunate cause I don't even run my own life very well. *G* I might prefer to see a poet thanking the responders once or twice... but I'm much more concerned with overall participation than number of thanks. [This message has been edited by suthern (02-07-2002 10:34 AM).] |
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Irish Rose Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263 |
never mind, I had written an opinion, but it isn't important. sorry.... [This message has been edited by Irish Rose (02-07-2002 12:24 PM).] |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Kathleen, your opinion is always important. But LOL it may not change this numbers game discussion. What's in a number? Only a count, nothing more, nothing less. I am not a bean counter on any level, yet I do understand some of the issues here. It doesn't bother me if Marsha replies to every posted reply, I love her replies. Its the poetry that counts, not the numbers, or I'd be over at the IRS working and writing my fingers to the bone. LOL, they don't like the way I add or subtract. Best to stick to words. And the numbers can get grotesque! Most of you know the poem I'm referring to. I'm glad it was moved to Adult, as it was beginning to make the blue pages look lopsided and bizarre! Now I am just rambling, so it's time to go away and read some more poetry. |
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Chanson Senior Member
since 2000-08-19
Posts 1559Up Creek w/Out Paddle |
Numbers don't count? Take a look at the Announcements and Links segment of this discussion board and explain to me what the purpose is for all the posts that congratulate a poster for reaching a certain numerical plateau IF they don't count and mean nothing whatsoever. I'm sure the argument can be made that a person is not really being congratulated on the number of posts but instead praised and thanked for participating in the forum. If this is the case, then this is what should be celebrated. Instead, emphasis is deliberatly put on numbers. I'm merely making an observation. Number shouldn't count, opinions should, even when they aren't shared. *s |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
We could ask Ron to make the numbers visible only on our profiles the next time he updates the forum software. |
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